JP3571297B2 - Sheet material cutting and creasing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing graphic products, and more particularly to an apparatus for cutting and creasing heavy sheet materials.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
Plotting and cutting devices are used for various purposes in the fields of computer graphics creation, sign making and screen printing. For example, such devices cut graphic images or characters from sheets of vinyl or other polymeric material, draw lines, characters or other graphic images on sheets of paper or polymeric material, It is used to form a perforated pattern by continuously striking a sheet, or to form an embossed pattern by performing embossed printing on a sheet.
[0003]
One type of such a device is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 826,367, filed Apr. 9, 1997, which is assigned to the present assignee. The device described in the above-mentioned pending patent application has a stationary platen that defines a sheet support surface on which a sheet to be processed is pushed longitudinally by a plurality of sprockets. The apparatus further includes a tool supported by the tool carriage so as to be movable in a lateral direction. The seat support surface has an elongated recess for receiving low friction and a relatively rigid support surface. The support surface is aligned with the tool such that the tool penetrates the support surface if the tool is accidentally pushed through the sheet and contacts the support surface. For processing operations on vinyl-like work sheets, the tool typically penetrates only the top surface and not into the lower layers of the work sheet. Worksheets of vinyl typically have a soft, slippery silicon-coated bottom surface and do not blunt the tool blade.
[0004]
It is desirable to use such plotting and cutting equipment to produce prototype boxes or packages for various products. Typically, prototype boxes are manufactured from cardboard, cardboard or similar heavy sheet material. The prototype box is formed by first cutting a sheet blank around the contour of the box to produce a flat blank and completely or substantially separating the flat blank box from the rest of the sheet. Typically, a number of tabs connecting the flat blank to the sheet material are left to prevent the blank from separating from the sheet material before the end of the operation. After the contour of the box has been cut, the flat blank is scored, forming a softening line for subsequent folding.
[0005]
In order to obtain a final product having a constant high precision and quality, it is necessary to make sharp lines and sharp corners by a cutting operation. Such high quality cutting requires the use of very sharp cutting tools. If a plotting and cutting device as described above is used, the blade will quickly blunt even if the cutting blade penetrates the sheet material and penetrates the rigid sheet support surface with only a small contact. The blunted blade provides a high quality cut when cutting around the corners of the flat blank and cannot maintain high accuracy. In addition, the support surface is cut and damaged. A cutting support surface that has lost its smoothness and includes an upwardly projecting surface increases friction between the surface and the sheet material, resulting in poor material movement and cutting accuracy.
Further complicating the problem of producing prototype boxes with high accuracy and quality is that the sheet material support surface allows for displacement of the sheet material behind the fold in order to achieve good folds in the flat blank That's what we have to do.
[0006]
Thus, efficient production of high quality, high precision prototype boxes requires two different specialized or special purpose support surfaces. One such surface allows for displacement of the material during creasing of the flat blank, and the second support surface can be flat without damaging the support surface or dulling the cutting blade. This allows for complete separation of the blank.
[0007]
[Object of the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting and creasing a heavy sheet material.
Another object of the present invention is to ensure a high-precision cutting operation and a high-quality creasing operation during the manufacture of a prototype box.
It is a further object of the present invention to minimize damage to the sheet support surface and the cutting blade during cutting and creasing operations of heavy sheet materials.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a prototype package or box from heavy sheet material comprises a sheet material support having a recess for receiving a bristle insert, a bristle of the bristle insert penetrating the sheet material. A tool for engaging the surface. The bristle surface does not blunt the tool during the cutting operation and is not damaged. Further, the bristle surface supports the sheet material so that the sheet material can be deformed at the fold line during the creasing operation.
[0008]
Summary of the Invention
One feature of the present invention is that bristle inserts can be replaced with grooved inserts during certain creasing operations. The fluted insert has a groove that allows the sheet material to deform in response to the pressure provided by the creasing tool.
[0009]
One advantage of the present invention is that blunting of the blade tip during the cutting operation is minimized because the blade tip does not cut into the bristles of the brush. Another advantage of the present invention is that damage to the seat support surface is minimized. The bristles of the brush insert are not damaged. A further advantage of the present invention is that the bristle surface provides a surface that is also effective for creasing operations. A further advantage of the present invention is that the grooved inserts are interchangeable with bristle inserts, producing high quality fold lines.
[0010]
The above and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in view of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 that performs a processing operation on a sheet material 12 includes a lower structure 14 and an upper structure 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower structure portion 14 includes a pair of sprockets 20 and 22 for feeding the sheet material 12 in the longitudinal direction, that is, in the X-axis direction. Each sprocket 20, 22 has a plurality of sprocket pins 24 that engage with perforations 26 formed in the sheet material 12. The lower structure 14 has a stationary support or platen 30 interposed between the sprockets 20,22. The platen 30 has a support surface 32 for supporting the sheet material 12. The platen 30 has a recess 34 for receiving a bristle insert 36, as shown in FIG.
[0012]
Referring to FIG. 4, the bristle insert 36 has a base 40 adapted to fit into the recess 34 and a plurality of bristles 42 projecting from the base 40. Each bristle 42 has a bristle bottom 44 and a bristle tip 46 defined. Bristle tip 46 defines a bristle surface 50 that is substantially coplanar with platen support surface 32, as shown in FIG. The recess 34 of the platen 30 is shaped to retain a bristle insert 36 therein, as best shown in FIG.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper structure 16 of the apparatus 10 includes a tool carriage 52 that extends in a lateral direction, that is, a Y-axis direction, and that movably supports a tool 54. The tool 54 is movable in the tool carriage 52 in the horizontal direction, that is, in the Y-axis direction. The tool 54 comprises a revolving blade 56 having a cutting edge 58. The tool 54 can also be moved downward by a control electromagnetic coil (not shown), and engages the cutting edge 58 with the sheet material 12 as shown in FIG.
[0014]
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sheet material 12, typically a heavy material such as cardboard or cardboard, is fed in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 10. The sprocket pins 24 engage the perforations 26 of the sheet material 12 to advance the sheet material 12 in the longitudinal direction. Sheet material 12 is supported by platen 30 and comes into contact with support surface 32 of platen 30 and bristle surface 50 of bristle insert 36. After the sheet material 12 is properly positioned in the apparatus 10, the tool 54 moves downward to engage the cutting edge 58 of the blade 56 with the sheet material 12. Next, the tool 54 is moved laterally in the tool carriage 52 and the sheet material 12 is pushed in the longitudinal direction according to a program for completing the necessary cutting operation in the device controller (not shown). Can be As shown in FIG. 2, the blade 56 is instructed to cut through the outline of the prototype box 62 called a blank by creating an outline 64 by penetrating the sheet material 12. As the blade 56 passes through the sheet material 12 and completely or partially separates the flat blank 62 from the remaining sheet material 12, the cutting edge 58 penetrates the sheet material 12 and contacts the bristle surface 50. The cutting edge 58 of the blade 56 pushes away the distal end portion 46 of the bristles 42 when the cutting edge 58 contacts the bristle surface 50. Thus, as the sheet material 12 is advanced in the longitudinal direction and the blade 56 is pivoted laterally along the tool carriage 52 penetrating the sheet material 12, the bristle tips 46 are pushed apart, thereby causing FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting edge 58 can be prevented from contacting a hard surface while providing a relatively solid support surface for the sheet material 12.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the bristle surface 50 can be used to form a fold line 66. Referring to FIG. 5, the blade 56 has been replaced by a creasing tool 68, which may be either a creasing wheel or a blunt tool. The creasing tool 68 has a creasing surface 70 that is in contact with the sheet material 12 to be creasing. The creasing surface 70 of the creasing tool 68 presses the sheet material 12 down into the bristle surface 50 at the fold line 66. When the creasing tool 68 exerts pressure on the sheet material 12, the distal end portion 46 of the bristles 42 moves laterally to allow deformation of the sheet material 12, thereby forming a fold line 66. The bristle surface 50 allows for deformation of the sheet material 12 at the fold line 66, but provides a relatively stiff surface for those portions of the sheet material 12 that do not contact the creasing tool 68.
[0016]
6, the bristle insert 36 is replaced by a grooved insert 72 for creasing. The grooved insert 72 has a groove 74 that allows for deformation of the sheet material and a grooved insert support surface 76 that provides support for portions of the sheet material 12 that are not deformed. For certain creasing operations requiring a sharper or deeper fold line 66, the recess 34 of the device of the present invention accommodates a grooved insert 72. When the creasing tool 68 applies pressure to the sheet material 12, the sheet material 12 deforms into the groove 74 to form a fold line 66.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
One advantage of the present invention is that the bristle surface 50 minimizes blunting of the cutting edge during a cutting operation because the tip of the blade 56 does not engage the hard surface and contacts the bristles 42 of the bristle insert 36. It is. Another advantage of the present invention is that damage to the support surface 32 is minimized. The bristles 42 of the bristle insert 36 are not damaged. A further advantage of the present invention is that the bristle surface 50 provides a surface that is also effective for creasing operations. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the bristle insert 36 is interchangeable with the fluted insert 72 to allow for a particular creasing operation on the groove 74.
[0018]
Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that various changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the apparatus of the present invention has been described as having a sprocket for pushing the sheet material, the sheet material may be fed by friction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic enlarged partially cutaway side view of an apparatus for feeding a sheet material.
FIG. 2 is a schematic partially cutaway top view of a sheet material placed at the bottom of the apparatus of FIG. 1 along line 2-2.
FIG. 3 shows a sheet material support of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with a bristle insert disposed therein so that the cutting tool can cut the sheet material without dulling the blades and without damaging the sheet material support surface. It is an enlarged partial side view.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bristle insert of FIG. 3;
5 is an enlarged partial side view of the sheet material support of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with the bristle insert disposed therein and the creasing tool creating a fold line in the sheet material.
6 is an enlarged partial side view of the sheet material support of the apparatus of FIG. 2, with the grooved insert disposed therein and the creasing tool creating a fold line in the sheet material.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 sheet support (platen)
52 Tool carriage 54 Tool 36 Bristle insert

Claims (7)

An apparatus that performs cutting and creasing while driving the sheet material in the longitudinal direction,
A sheet support having a sheet material support surface for supporting the sheet material driven in the longitudinal direction, and a recess formed in the sheet material support surface and extending in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; ;
A tool carriage disposed above the sheet support;
A cutting or creasing tool supported by the tool carriage and movable in the lateral direction above the sheet material and a recess in the sheet support;
A bristle insert that fits into the recess, the bristle insert having a base from which a plurality of bristles protrude, each of the plurality of bristles having a bristle bottom and a bristle tip, wherein the bristle tip is A bristle surface, the bristle surface comprising a bristle insert substantially coplanar with the sheet material support surface;
In both of the cutting operation of the sheet material by the cutting tool, and the creasing operation of the sheet material by the creasing tool, cutting and cutting the sheet material, wherein the bristle surface supports the sheet material. Creaser. The apparatus for cutting and creasing a sheet material according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is a cutting blade. And a pair of sprockets disposed substantially adjacent to the sheet support surface and engaging the longitudinal edges of the sheet material to drive the sheet material in the longitudinal direction. The sheet material cutting and creasing device according to claim 1. An apparatus that performs cutting and creasing while driving the sheet material in the longitudinal direction,
A sheet support having a sheet material support surface for supporting the sheet material driven in the longitudinal direction, and a recess formed in the sheet material support surface and extending in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; ;
A tool carriage disposed above the sheet support;
A cutting or creasing tool supported by the tool carriage and movable in the lateral direction above the sheet material and a recess in the sheet support;
A bristle insert that fits into the recess, the bristle insert having a base from which a plurality of bristles protrude, each of the plurality of bristles having a bristle bottom and a bristle tip, wherein the bristle tip is A bristle surface, said bristle surface comprising a bristle insert substantially coplanar with said sheet material support surface; and
A grooved insert which can be fitted into the concave portion of the sheet support and has a predetermined groove provided therein,
An apparatus for cutting and creasing a sheet material, wherein the grooved insert and the bristle insert are interchangeable. An apparatus that performs cutting and creasing while driving the sheet material in the longitudinal direction,
A sheet support having a sheet material support surface for supporting the sheet material, and a concave portion formed in the sheet material support surface;
A bristle insert that fits into the recess, wherein the bristle insert has a base with a plurality of bristles protruding, each of the plurality of bristles has a bristle bottom and a bristle tip, and the bristle tip is A bristle surface comprising a bristle surface, the bristle surface being substantially coplanar with the sheet material support surface;
A tool carriage disposed above the sheet support;
A tool supported by the tool carriage and movable in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction above the sheet material;
The tool is
A cutting tool that penetrates the sheet material and that can move while pushing and separating the bristle tip portion constituting the bristle surface in accordance with the movement thereof;
Pressing the sheet material, a creasing tool that can move while moving the bristle tip portion constituting the bristle surface to the side;
In both of the cutting operation of the sheet material by the cutting tool, and the creasing operation of the sheet material by the creasing tool, cutting and cutting the sheet material, wherein the bristle surface supports the sheet material. Creaser. A method of manufacturing a prototype box from sheet material, the method comprising:
Placing the sheet material in an apparatus for cutting and creasing the sheet material;
The blade of the cutting tool is penetrated through the sheet material, and the edge of the blade is in contact with the bristle surface of the bristle insert disposed below the sheet material. Cutting with the blade of the cutting tool while supporting the hair with the bristle surface;
A creasing tool presses the sheet material while supporting the sheet material on the bristle surface and performs creasing corresponding to the prototype box on the sheet material to form a softening line for folding. And preparing for the folding process;
A method for manufacturing a prototype box from a sheet material, comprising: A method of manufacturing a prototype box from sheet material, the method comprising:
Placing the sheet material in an apparatus for cutting and creasing the sheet material;
The blade of the cutting tool is penetrated through the sheet material, and the edge of the blade is in contact with the bristle surface of the bristle insert disposed below the sheet material. Cutting with the blade of the cutting tool while supporting the hair with the bristle surface;
Replacing the bristle surface of the bristle insert with a grooved surface of a grooved insert;
Creasing the prototype box with a creasing tool to form softening lines for folding;
A method for manufacturing a prototype box from a sheet material, comprising:

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